Archaeology PhD

The University of Edinburgh

Our PhD in Archaeology offers you the opportunity to study archaeology at an advanced level through independent research.Each student is allocated at least two supervisors, allowing us to combine thematic, chronological and disciplinary expertise in the supervisory team. We also have close links with external organisations, such as the National Museums of Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland, and can include external partners in supervisory teams.The Archaeology subject area offers research supervision across a wide range of fields.We welcome applications from anyone keen to work in areas or on topics in which we have expertise. These include:Aspects of Science-based archaeologyOsteoarchaeologyCoastal and marine heritageMegalithic monumentsEarly civilisations and urban societies in the Mediterranean and EuropeNear Eastern archaeology and EgyptologyLater European prehistoryThe archaeology of ScotlandThe Byzantine worldOur Focal areas of research include:Bioarchaeology/ Human osteoarchaeology/ Biological anthropologyHuman–environment interactionsThe transition from hunter-gatherer to farming communitiesThe development of complex societiesCultural heritage perspectives on the past, present, and futureZooarchaeologyThese research areas are complemented by research expertise in related disciplines elsewhere in the School and the University. The breadth of expertise in the School and in the wider University makes it possible for us to supervise a very wide range of topics.We have a wide range of expertise covering different areas, time periods and themes, including:Bioarchaeology and isotope studiesEgyptologyRoman and ‘Celtic’ archaeologyThe Byzantine World and Late AntiquityMegalithic monumentsPrehistory of Europe, the Mediterranean and North-East AfricaEarly civilisations and urban societiesThe archaeology of ScotlandCultural heritage and sustainabilityDigital heritage and heritage policyArchaeomaterials analysisHuman evolutionConflict archaeologyMedieval archaeologyComputational archaeologyMarine and coastal archaeologyBuildings archaeologyArchaeological survey-Landscape archaeologyZooarchaeology and Environmental archaeology

School of History, Classics and Archaeology